Answers to your insurance questions

On June 24, 2011 Pourable NAPAfire and FIREGEL Gel Fuel bottles and jugs have been recalled.
This recall involves Pourable NAPAfire and FIREGEL Gel Fuel bottles and jugs. The product is a clear, pourable gel fuel packaged in clear 947 ml (one-quart) plastic bottles and 3.785 L (one-gallon) plastic jugs and sold in non-scented and citronella scents. The fuel is poured into a stainless steel cup in the center of firepots or other decorative lighting devices and then ignited.What is the danger?
The pourable gel fuel can ignite unexpectedly and splatter onto people and objects nearby when it is poured into a firepot that is still burning. This hazard can occur if the consumer does not see the flame or is not aware that the firepot is still ignited. Fuel gel that splatters and ignites can pose fire and burn risks to consumers.
In Canada, the stainless steel cup in the center of firepots lacks the required precautionary labelling.
The US distributor of the product, Napa Home & Garden Inc. is aware of 37 reports of incidents in the US, including 23 burn injuries to consumers.
At time of the recall neither Health Canada nor the Canadian distributor, Design Home Gift and Paper Inc., have received any reports of incidents in Canada.What should I do?
Consumers should immediately stop using the pourable gel fuel in firepots and return all bottles or jugs to the retailer from which they were purchased for a full refund. The stainless steel cup in the center of firepots are not refundable and should be discarded.
The decorative firepot itself is not part of the recall and should not be returned to the retailer. A retrofit for the Napa brand firepots is being evaluated and may be available in the near future. Consumers are asked to not use the firepots until they receive the retrofit kits.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, call Design Home Gift and Paper Inc. at 1-800-663-9950.How many were sold and where?
Approximately 800 units of the recalled products were sold in Canada. The recalled products were distributed in Canada by Design Home Gift and Paper Inc. between May 2010 and June 2011.
These products were manufactured in the United States by Fuel Barons Inc. of Lake Tahoe, Nevada and distributed by Design Home Gift and Paper Inc. of Richmond Hill, Ontario.Insurance Answer
When a company manufactures, distributes or retails a product then there will always be requirements that you meet certain quality control. Unfortunately the safety measures that are in place in Canada and the United States are not the same when a product is made outside of these countries.
Product recall insurance is an important part of a business insurance policy if you sell products to the public, particularly when a product is aimed at children or children could be harmed by use of the product. Your duty of care to a consumer will be considered in a courtroom and part of a lawsuit for negligence.
Be sure that you have discussed your operation fully with your commercial insurance agent or broker. Turners Tips always recommends that you take control of your insurance by seeking expert advice.